Warning: This chapter contains scenes of a sexual nature. Reader discretion is advised.

Emotions were strange beasts, I decided. After what happened at Gadwall Lake, I expected to feel remorseful, or at least more concerned than I did. In fact, I should have been terrified of the repercussions of what Richard and I had done, but instead I went about my chores with a spring in my step. I relived the memories of Friday night as I worked, and I even caught myself singing out loud while mucking out the horses. I was in no less danger than previously, but something inside me had shifted, and I floated through the weekend on cloud nine.

How could the possibility of execution seem so unimportant?

Perhaps this was what insanity felt like.

Monday evening could not come around fast enough. When it did, Richard came to the door of his bedroom and opened it for me, instead of calling me to enter as usual. We had barely had a chance to speak since Friday, so after three days, I was slightly unsure what to expect.

Once I was inside his room, he closed the door gently behind me and locked it.

He had never locked the door before. Perhaps that was why the sound of the bolt clicking aroused me, a shiver rolling from the base of my neck all the way down my spine. I felt flushed and my breathing got shallower before he had even laid a finger on me.

"I have missed you," Richard spoke quietly but intently. He gently put the palm of his hand against my cheek, and I closed my eyes as he moved it back into my hair. His fingers entwined themselves into the hair at the back of my head, and he pulled me towards him until our lips met. I melted into the kiss while he kept me on my feet by wrapping his other arm solidly around my centre. I had missed his tongue moving over mine and I ached for more.

I still had my eyes closed when he pulled back and, humming, he slipped his hand into mine. I opened my eyes and let him lead me to the bed. He positioned me so I could sit, and then he unbuttoned his shirt and removed the upper layer of his clothing while I watched, entranced. His resplendent bare chest had my full attention and he knew it.

His gaze turned predatory as he placed his knees on the bed, either side of my hips, and he balanced himself lightly on my thighs. It seemed I was the prey; completely vulnerable to him.

Richard unbuttoned my shirt and his fingers trailed over my neck and shoulders smoothly as he pushed it off them and down over my arms, leaving prickles of pleasure wherever they brushed against me.

His mouth was on mine again as he pushed me backwards onto the bed. His body hovered over mine as he skilfully removed the rest of our clothes. When he lowered himself, naked, and lay flush against me, it was like every nerve in my body was engulfed in flames. I ran my hands over every inch of his exposed back while moving my hips up against his. His warm mouth slid fervently to my neck. There was something about the way his rough chin felt against my skin that made it tingle in the best way possible, and I inadvertently whimpered, bucking slightly in the process.

"I have missed you and your beautiful noises so much," he growled against my neck, grinding his hips against mine. The voracity with which his lips moved over my skin increased significantly, running up and down my neck without missing a spot, making me all but cry out in pleasure.

Richard rolled onto one side and grasped my wrist with his hand, guiding it down between his legs. His eyes begged me to pleasure him, so I wrapped my fingers around him gently. He let go of my wrist and let me play. He groaned with unfocused eyes as I stroked him, and then his hand reached for me too. A jolt of electricity sparked where he touched me and pulsed through every nerve ending. We kissed, panting and tongues flicking, as we fondled each other, tension building until the need to release was agonising. With every muscle taut, I climaxed hard into Richard's firm grasp, and seconds later his relief spilled in powerful bursts onto my fingers.

After a few minutes of recovery time, Richard fetched a rag and gently cleaned up. When finished, he positioned himself on his side next to me, propping his head on his hand as his elbow rested on the bed.

He drew invisible patterns across my chest and stomach with his index finger as he spoke, and I was thrilled at the sustained contact with him.

"You haven't said a word since you arrived. Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

"Surprisingly so," I answered honestly. "You did not exactly offer much opportunity for conversation," I continued, looking at him meaningfully.

"I suppose not," he agreed, his smile dazzling me. His index finger continued to draw shapes on my torso. "How did I win this fine prize?" he continued blissfully. "Perhaps eating flowers worked after all?"

"No," I assured him, shoving his shoulder lightly. "It was ridiculous."

"Yet here you are," he raised an eyebrow.

"I did not come here for the flowers, I guarantee you."

"I believe you," he chuckled. The unseen patterns he continued to draw on me grew smaller as his smile faded. "I regret that I have some official business with my father this week," he sighed. "It is badly timed, but we must leave on Friday. He likes to have me with him in strategic matters such as treaties."

"You are clearly an asset to him. How long is your trip?" I asked.

"One week, assuming all goes as planned. But I know it will feel like a lifetime," he replied wistfully.

"A week is not such a long time," I smiled reassuringly. But I knew it would seem like longer for me as well, and that I would miss him terribly.

Richard's finger wandered down the hip that was furthest from him, making me shudder as he leaned across me for a kiss.

"A week without you will be torture," he professed. "I would rather just stay here forever," he murmured, kissing me again.

I hummed in agreement and let him keep kissing and touching me for what felt like an eternity.

Idyllic as it was, I knew it could not last forever, and, feeling tired, I prompted him to let me go so that I could get dressed again.

"Surely you can stay a while longer?" he whined as I pulled on my shirt and buttoned it up.

"I doubt my employer will be too happy if I do not complete my tasks tomorrow because of exhaustion resulting from lack of sleep," I smirked back at him.

"Your employer sounds like a tyrant," he griped playfully, rolling over so that he lay on his stomach with his head resting on his hands, propped up by his elbows. "Do I need to have some strong words with him?"

"He is unlikely to listen," I retorted as I finished dressing. "He can be quite tenacious."

"What about if there are extenuating circumstances?" he protested, reaching for my wrist and pulling me back gently to join him on the bed.

I leaned over, put my hand on his cheek and kissed him on the lips. He was so delightfully adorable, and I longed to remain with him. But if I stayed every time I wanted to stay, I would never leave. Ever.

"I must go," I asserted, standing up. "Good night, Richard. I will see you on Wednesday."

"Good night Sebastian," he said, still lying naked on the bed and making no attempt to cover up, even as I opened the door to make my exit.

Out in the corridor, I blinked in wonder at how I ended up in this extraordinary situation with this even more extraordinary man.

Wednesday evening took a similar turn to Monday. I wondered whether we would ever have an evening where we actually played games again, or whether we were too addicted to each other.

I prepared Shadow and Acorn, the King's horse, for departure on Friday morning. The hardest part about watching Richard ride away with his father was not being able to say goodbye the way we wanted to, addressing him formally for the benefit of the King. I tried to stay positive and remind myself that a week was really not that long.

After finishing my tasks, I sought Annabelle for dinner. The cook had prepared a beef stew and dumplings for the royal family, and there was plenty left over. It was succulent, delicious and reminded me that I had much to be thankful for, even if I would not be seeing Richard later.

We were close to finishing our food, when Annabelle asked an unexpected question.

"Sebastian, is there some reason you have you been so cheerful lately?"

"I did not realise I had been," I responded. At least, I did not realise I had changed any behaviour in front of Annabelle.

"You have seemed in much better spirits the last few days," she explained.

"Perhaps it is the change in weather," I suggested. "The heat of the previous week was maddening. Did you not think so?" I pushed another forkful of food into my mouth and hoped I had successfully changed the subject to the weather.

"Such a change in the weather has not had such an impact on you before," she noted, taking a small mouthful of stew. She swallowed and then gasped, looking at me intently, her hand suddenly grabbing mine. "Please tell me that your transformation in mood is because you have evidence that your love is requited. Is it so?"

A familiar burning sensation told me I was giving myself away. She must know from the colour of my cheeks that she was correct. I cursed my predisposition for blushing so easily. I had no desire to lie to Annabelle, but I needed to be careful with the information I gave her.

I nodded and lowered my voice drastically.

"Against all odds," I confirmed.

"Nonsense!" Annabelle leaned forward and followed my lead by speaking in a hushed tone. "You must not think so little of yourself."

They were not the odds I was referring to, but I just smiled in response, and finished the last of my food.

"I am so excited for you!" she continued. "You must give me details!"

I looked around nervously and, despite finding nobody within earshot, lowered my voice even further to reply.

"I cannot, Annabelle. The situation is ... complicated."

Annabelle's eyes widened but she remained discreet as she talked.

"Complicated?" she asked. "How so? Is she married?"

That would certainly create complications, and it was believable. I bit my lip and let her draw her own conclusions.

"I did not take you for the type of person to have a secret affair, Sebastian," Annabelle continued. "If she is married already, she must be older than you?"

"Not ridiculously older, but older," I confirmed.

"And you have kissed?" she asked excitedly.

"We have," I nodded.

"And?"

I leaned forward slightly.

"And it was incredible," I could not help the smile that formed as I remembered everything. "More than incredible. I did not know such a feeling existed."

Annabelle squealed in delight. It was nice that she was happy for me, especially after I felt I had let her down regarding our own courtship.

"And so, this is the reason you have been so happy of late?" she verified.

"Presumably it has influenced my mood," I confessed. "But I am also somewhat despondent that we must conduct our affair in secret. Annabelle, please, you must not disclose what I have told you to anyone."

"I have no reason to disclose any of this," she confirmed. "You know I consider you a close friend, and I know this must be difficult for you to keep quiet. If you ever need to talk, I am happy to listen. And if she breaks your heart, she will have to contend with me."

Annabelle was as gentle as a kitten, and her attempt to sound threatening made me smile.

"You are a good friend, Annabelle," I said, reaching out and taking her hand properly.

"As are you," she replied, still glowing with excitement.